Thumb Animal Shelter marks 20th year of helping hounds

Seth Stapleton, Tribune Staff Writer

Updated
8:33 am EDT, Wednesday, August 24, 2016

ELKTON — Ron and Deen Forster had a life-long fascination with dogs. Acting on that passion, the couple trained canines in various capacities throughout the country, before eventually returning home to Michigan in 1978.

For the many years that followed, the Forsters operated a boarding kennel, before being presented with a unique opportunity by Huron County: the privatization of the county's existing animal shelter.

"We talked about it and decided to do it, so we became the Thumb Animal Shelter," said Deen Forster of the decision.

So in 1996, they formed the Thumb Animal Shelter, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Despite Ron's death three and a half years ago, the shelter has continued to thrive.

"It was his dream," Deen Forster said. "The shelter has done great things and we continue to grow and we continue to do great things."

Deen handles a lot of the duties at the shelter on her own these days, but is provided plenty of assistance.

With a genuine love for animals instilled in them by their parents, children Missy and Mike help out at the shelter every chance they get.

"Animals are a major part of this family," Forster said.

Aside from pitching in at the shelter, Missy is owner/operator of Walnut Ridge Kennels in Bad Axe, while Mike has formed a company that specializes in falconry-based bird abatement.

Forster also credited the help of many volunteers that keep things running smoothly, including Chris Champagne, who Forster said does an excellent job handling the shelter's Facebook account, which is used to help lost animals find their way back home.

"Without Chris, we wouldn't be as active as we are," Forster said. "She does a super job of finding these dogs back to their homes when they're missing."

The shelter has room for 15 to 20 dogs, with runs both inside and out. Forster said it takes in around 350 canines each year.

Recently, the shelter met the necessary criteria to become a "no kill" animal shelter, which means the vast majority of animals that enter the shelter wind up saved.

"That's kind of a feather in our cap," Forster said. "We are very proud of that."

Coming up on Sept. 2, the Ron Forster Memorial Walk-a-Thon will take place in conjunction with Elkton's Autumnfest.

The annual event is put on to raise money for the shelter, and has been doing so for the past nine years.

According to coordinator Annette Renn, the event raised around $6,000 last year and has grown each year.

The two-mile walk begins at 6 p.m. at Ackerman Memorial Park. Participants then walk their dogs through downtown Elkton and return back at the park.

"Everybody has fun with their dog, a nice walk, and some camaraderie with each other," Renn said.

For more information on the event, visit the Thumb Animal Shelter's Facebook page.